FAITH CAPSULE: Know and be able to seek for God’s mercy.

Psalm 25

Mercy is attainable from God when we beg Him for it
Job was a man testified of by God as one who there is none like on the earth; a blameless and upright man; one who fears God and shuns evil (Job 1:9). It was this same man with such a testimony by God that found himself in a position of begging God for mercy when he stated, “For though I were righteous, I could not answer Him; I would beg mercy of my Judge” (Job 9:15). Job’s merit before God was not automatic in obtaining God’s mercy. Job was in a needy situation with no choice to beg God for mercy. Begging for mercy is same as asking for mercy. The Psalmist stated, “Have mercy on me, O LORD! Consider my trouble from those who hate me, You who lift me up from the gates of death.” (Psalm 9:13). Mercy of God is obtainable when we ask according to the Word of God which commanded us to ask, seek and knock.
Mercy is attainable when we ask God for forgiveness
Word of God makes us to realize that every time a call on God to forgive is rendered mercy will respond on behalf of the one calling and asking for forgiveness. It is written, “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You” (Psalm 86:5). God is good and merciful; there is no iota of evil when He is responding to His children that ask for His forgiveness. Asking for forgiveness is a very sure way of obtaining mercy as it is obvious all through the pages of the Bible. It is written, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confess and forsakes them will have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). Mercy of God is all that it takes for man to live life to the glory of God.
Mercy is attainable when we devise good
Anyone that devises evil gets evil in return while ones that devises good gets good in return. Once Haman devised evil against the Jews but Esther, while responding to Mordecai’s guidance, got to the ground where she could counteract the devised evil of Haman. The Bible stated, “Now Esther spoke again to the king, fell down at his feet, and implored him with tears to counteract the evil of Haman the Agagite, and the scheme which he had devised against the Jews.” (Esther 8:3) Esther’s devised good and mercy answered on behalf of all her people (Jews). The Word of God is true as stated in Proverbs 14:22, “…but mercy and truth belong to those who devise good. With the understanding of the truth in the Word of God that mercy is obtainable from the throne of grace, it is worthy to actually know and be able to seek for God’s mercy so that the mercy of God will reign and rule in one’s life.

Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace to walk worth for His mercy.

FAITH CAPSULE: In the coming days, weeks, months, with understanding get to know what it takes to be obtaining mercy of God.

Genesis 39

Mercy belongs to no man but to God that gives mercy. Mercy is God’s compassionate or kind forbearance that never runs out. Mercy of God is constantly in place to answer for God’s creation as He (God) chooses. The mercy of God, not our merit, is the reason God answers. God cannot be intimidated or manipulated for the release of His mercy by any of His creation. With God’s mercy in place for His creation, nothing under heaven is powerful enough to displace man from overcoming the challenges of the world.
Despite of Pharaoh’s stone of heart, it was with mercy that God led the children of Israel out of the bondage of over four hundred years and the bible recorded it, “You in Your mercy have led forth the people whom You have redeemed…” (Exodus 15:13) In the coming days, weeks, months, with understanding get to know what it takes to be obtaining mercy of God.
Among the many ways of provoking God to obtain His mercy are:
Mercy is attainable when our life aligns with the word of God
Every time our lives line up with the Word of God, He will always be with us. Joseph’s life is an evidence of one that constantly lined up his walk with the Word of God. Every time there was an incident that could tempt him to violate the Word of God, he did not because his life was lined up with the Word of God.  In one instance, he could have accepted but he denied the offer to sleep with his master’s wife by claiming, “…How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9)  So he fled from her offer. It can be concluded that Joseph’s acknowledgment of his God was enough for God to be provoked, extending His mercy to Joseph. The Word went further to declare, “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor…” (Genesis 39:21) When we live our lives in line with the word of God, God’s mercy becomes undeniably obtainable.
Mercy is attainable when we love God
Do you know what it means to love God? Many, who demonstrated their love for God, were able to obtain God’s mercy. The Bible recorded what it means to love God when Jesus stated, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15). Joseph is also a good example of someone that kept God’s commandment forbidding adultery. Joseph’s fleeing from sleeping with his master’s wife was because of his love for His God.
Going to church is not possibility of obtaining the mercy of God; running around to give or receive gift in the season of the celebration of Jesus Christ is not the way to be obtaining the mercy of God. Align your life with the word of God; love God and mercy shall always answer as your portion.

Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace not to live life outside of His mercy.

FAITH CAPSULE: Have you accepted the Gift of God for man?

Luke 14:14-44

Jesus, Gift from God came to a synagogue in Nazareth where He was brought up and read out the gifts of God in Him for man as it is written, “And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken hearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him.” (Luke 4:17-20)
Jesus, the Gift of God identified Himself by pointing out the gifts He brought to every man. At the time of His arrival many years ago till today, many could not relate with the Gift of God. Many have failed; many are failing to receive the Gift of God. So many know about the Gift of God by celebrating but not many know the Gift of God.
Many captives today remain captive because they are yet to capitalize on the privilege of grace that came to give freedom. Many remain blind because they refused to look up to Jesus. Many have made the choice of attempting to see other gods instead of seeing One and Only God that is here as Gift for deliverance. Many have made the choice to place man in the place of Jesus. For so many, vision is not clear enough to move many in the right direction while ignorance is placing many outside of the Gift of God.
Gift for man from God is the only perfect fit for man that will accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. Accepting the Gift of God for man only demands looking up to God through Jesus. The gift of God through Jesus makes salvation available that is not to be manipulated neither to be monopolized by any man. Jesus came for the poor so that He can make poor become rich in the things of the Lord. Jesus wants us to be like Him. To be like Jesus is to behave like Him by imitating Him. Paul admonished us, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1) Book of 3 John 1:11 also recorded, “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.” Have you accepted the Gift of God for man? If you accept the gift of God, Jesus the Gift of God will receive your as His.

Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace to sincerely accept the gift of God and be known in Him today.

FAITH CAPSULE: Are you celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ with understanding?

Luke 2

When understanding is in place for man, knowing to have edge (knowledge) over challenges will be opened up for man. Understanding of the season of the celebration of the birthday of Jesus is strange for majority all over the world. Think about this, at every birth of a new baby shout of joy and celebration is not always hidden. On top of it, extending gift to the new baby is also a way of celebration with joy. However, the celebration of the birthday of Jesus should not be a thing of thought but of shout that is of full joy. The celebration of the birthday of Jesus should not only be the exchange of gifts between only loves ones. The celebration of the birthday of Jesus should be with understanding of joy that is full.
Are you celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ with understanding?
Joyful is the access of man to the presence of God. Psalm 16:11 stated, “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Regardless of man’s calendar, the celebration of the birthday of Jesus should be of fullness of joy. When man access the presence of God man will be exposed to God’s secret. In this season, rejoice with all your heart regardless of your challenge. God weighs action. 1 Samuel 2:3 stated it well, “…For the Lord is the God of knowledge; and by Him actions are weighed.” A true joyful action celebrating Jesus is within God’s knowledge and the weight behind celebration counts before God.
With joyful celebration, it is also important for us to open up our inn for Jesus to occupy us. At the time of the birth of Jesus, there was no inn for Him to be delivered. It is written, “So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:6-7) At His time of His birth, man was so busy; man was occupied by the world. Today, man is still busy and occupied since the time He was born over 2000 years ago. Today man is in the business of world business of celebration of His birthday. Giving gifts is a love trade by barter. The celebration of Jesus’ birthday and giving of gift in the name of celebration is rooted in lack of understanding. This season make it a point to gain the full understanding of celebrating the birthday of Jesus; gain a position of having edge over wickedness of this world. Above all, open your inn for Jesus to enter and occupy your life.

Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace to open up your inn for Jesus to occupy you.

FAITH CAPSULE: Mercy belongs to God.

Genesis 19

The mercy of God is all that matters to live heaven on earth where wickedness resides. Above evil hands, above all advances of the enemy, the mercy of God is more than available to answer for man’s deliverance and preservation. When evil activities of Sodom and Gomorrah provoked the power of God, destruction answered for Sodom and Gomorrah. Before the onset of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the mercy of God singled out Lot and family for deliverance.
On the day of destruction mercy activated for Lot and family as it is written, “When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, “Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.” And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city.” (Genesis 19:15-16) Lord being merciful over Lot could not give up on Lot’s lingering for deliverance.
Are you in position for God’s merciful in every way of life?
As if Lot was not happy for God’s destruction, he reluctantly rejected the offer of his escape to the mountains as directed. Lot asked for increased mercy to escape to another possible land. It is written, “Then Lot said to them, “Please, no, my lords! Indeed now, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have increased your mercy which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, lest some evil overtake me and I die. See now, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one; please let me escape there (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.” (Genesis 19:18-20) Lot realized the mercy of God upon his life as a result, he asked for increased mercy to plead God for other option. Zoar land was the other option for Lot to escape. Lot’s request was granted and was directed as stated, “Hurry, escape there. For I cannot do anything until you arrive there.” Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.” (Genesis 19:22)
Just as power belongs unto God, mercy also belongs to God. Mercy, meaning loyal love, is the conventional love of the covenant-keeping God. Mercy of God answers in two fold. First, in Romans 9:15-16 God spoke to Moses about His mercy, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” Second, mercy answers for those who fear God as testified in Luke 1:50, “And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.”
God gives mercy as He chooses; God gives mercy to those who fear Him.

Prayer for today:  Ask that God will not withhold His tender mercy from you.